Guardians Assemble

"Too noisy!"

"How disgraceful to behave so rudely before the Three Supreme Beings."

"Shalltear, Aura, the Three Lords are watching us."

A gigantic blue insectoid creature covered in a carapace and possessing four arms walked over from the edge of the Arena.

"He is Cocytus, the Floor Guardian of the Fifth Floor."

Naiyuan's voice echoed in Momonga and Herohero's minds as he explained.

As an NPC created by Warrior Takemikazuchi, Cocytus had been instilled with a powerful warrior's spirit from the moment of his creation. Therefore, he greatly disliked the sight of Shalltear and Aura arguing.

"This little runt was the one who provoked me first."

"I merely stated the facts."

"Um, everyone, please calm down."

Shalltear and Aura glared at each other angrily while Mare continued trying to mediate beside them.

"If you two refuse to stop, then allow me to be your opponent!"

Cocytus looked at the two who were still arguing. He swung the great axe in his hand and smashed it fiercely into the ground. The immense force cracked the floor open, while waves of cold spread from the axe's tip. In the blink of an eye, frost began forming across the ground.

"Enough!"

"Aura, stop arguing!"

"All of you, stop this at once!"

Seeing the situation gradually spiraling out of control, the three people who had been sitting aside watching could no longer remain silent.

"Yes, Supreme Beings! ×3"

The three immediately withdrew their stances and apologized toward the seats.

"Aura, as the older sister, do not make things difficult for your brother. Even playing around should have limits."

Naiyuan spoke to the Dark Elf Siblings before him in a warning tone.

"My deepest apologies, Father."

Aura immediately straightened up and bowed in Naiyuan's direction.

Meanwhile, Momonga looked toward the insectoid standing respectfully nearby.

"You did well, Cocytus, but do not be so impulsive next time. If we do not object, it means we have permitted it."

Momonga first praised him, then told him to pay closer attention in the future. The argument between Shalltear and Aura had been permitted by the three of them, so Cocytus could not act so rashly next time.

A classic slap followed by a sweet reward.

"Yes, Lord Momonga. This subordinate will take note."

"Mm. You have worked hard."

Herohero, meanwhile, quietly watched his two friends lecture the NPCs without any intention of joining in. After all, he could chat and joke around with Naiyuan and Momonga, who had crossed over alongside him.

But he had no such thoughts toward these NPCs. At most, he joined his two friends in reprimanding Cocytus once, then lay back in his chair and resumed watching the show.

Seeing that Herohero, one of the Supreme Beings, had said nothing, Cocytus could only bow deeply to show his respect.

Herohero merely gave a slight nod in response.

"My apologies for making everyone wait!"

After a short while, a Demon in a red suit approached. He wore glasses that concealed his Diamond eyes, and his face had the look of a born traitor.

"My deepest apologies, Three Lords. I arrived late."

At the entrance on the other side, a figure clad in pale blue armor also walked in and addressed everyone in the Arena, his eyes fixed upon the figure seated in the chair on the left.

"My great Father, Sephis sincerely thanks you for summoning me."

Sephis, dressed in pale blue armor, gave Naiyuan a noble's salute and spoke with joy in his voice.

"Sephis, I am happy to see you as well. Go stand to the side first. We can talk later."

Naiyuan looked at the figure before him with complicated feelings. This was an NPC he had created—his child, in a sense. Seeing him stirred his emotions greatly.

"Yes, Father."

Upon receiving the order, Sephis answered, then walked to the side and stood beside Aura.

At this moment, another figure appeared before everyone: Albedo.

"Now then, everyone, let us offer our pledge of loyalty to the great Supreme Beings."

Albedo stepped before the Floor Guardians and spoke, then was the first to kneel.

"Floor Guardian of the First through Third Floors, Shalltear, pays her respects to the Three Supreme Beings."

"Floor Guardian of the Fifth Floor, Cocytus, pays his respects to the Three Supreme Beings."

"Floor Guardians of the Sixth Floor, Aura and Mare, pay our respects to the Three Supreme Beings."

"Floor Guardian of the Seventh Floor, Demiurge, pays his respects to the Three Supreme Beings."

"Floor Guardian of the Eighth Floor, Sephis, pays his respects to the Three Supreme Beings."

"Guardian Overseer, Albedo, pays her respects to the Three Supreme Beings."

"Other than Gargantua, the Floor Guardian of the Fourth Floor, and Victim, who is also a Floor Guardian of the Eighth Floor alongside Sephis, all Floor Guardians have arrived at the Sixth Floor."

"Please issue your commands, Three Supreme Beings. We Floor Guardians will certainly devote ourselves fully to meeting your expectations and offer everything to the Three Lords."

After all the Floor Guardians had reported their status, Albedo, standing at the front, spoke respectfully.

"Very good. Raise your heads, Floor Guardians." Momonga rose from his chair as a terrifying aura began to spread from his body. Without anyone noticing, Momonga had activated [Despair Aura].

Naiyuan and Herohero exchanged a glance, then stood up as well and activated similar skills.

[Dragon Aura]

[Corrosion Aura]

At once, three immense waves of pressure battered the kneeling Floor Guardians, leaving them afraid to make even the slightest movement.

"First, I would like to thank everyone for gathering here," Momonga said.

At the same time, he could not help glancing at the two beside him. Seeing their solemn expressions, he secretly nodded. As expected of his friends—they knew to build up his presence.

"You are too kind. This is our honor."

Albedo gazed at Momonga with love-filled eyes. The affection threatening to overflow from them made Momonga instinctively take a step back.

Too terrifying. If we were alone together, she might suck my marrow dry.

"As beings created by the Supreme Beings, we are all the most loyal servants of the Supreme Beings. We are deeply honored by your praise."

"To repay these expectations, we will certainly give our all and never bring shame upon the great Supreme Beings."

Demiurge spoke respectfully to Momonga, expressing his loyalty as a Floor Guardian.

"We swear it."

The other Floor Guardians also responded in loud voices.

"Is that so? I have seen your loyalty. Then I have a question for all of you."

"In your eyes, what kind of people are the three of us?"

Momonga responded to the Floor Guardians step by step, then finally asked this crucial question.

Naiyuan and Herohero also turned to look at them. They were quite curious about the answer as well.